Actor, musician, host and entrepreneur Nick Cannon revealed last week that he would be spending Christmas in the hospital to undergo treatment for lupus, which he was diagnosed with in 2012. “All good though, Doctors say I will be back to normal before the New Year,” he wrote on Instagram Thursday, December 22.

Then on December 28th, Cannon recorded a video to his 1.8 million followers on instagram sharing that he was still in the hospital but getting out soon.

“I’m sitting here just getting stronger,” he says. “Just like an Iron Man strong, Incredible Hulk-type strong. And Buddha said it best: ‘Every morning that you wake up, you are born again, and it matters what you do today the most.’ … I want you to go on this journey with me ’cause I appreciate all the love. I didn’t know y’all loved me like that. … We all are stronger ’cause we made it through 2016 and we’re gonna keep going.”

He also captioned the video with, “Thank you for all the love, care and prayers. Lets Go!! We are all Ncredible!!! “You Only Got a Moment… So live it like You Own it!”

Now, Cannon revealed on Thursday December 29th that he just was released and that he underwent five blood transfusions during his two-week hospital stay.

“Honestly, I feel great,” Cannon says, noting that he went straight to the studio upon his release. “We’re back at it again. … Five blood transfusions, what? Naw, it ain’t nothing.”

Shortly after being diagnosed with Lupus, Cannon stated, “I don’t necessarily look sick, but there are times when I wake up and I can’t move,” says Cannon, who talks candidly about lupus, the chronic illness that was diagnosed in 2012 and that he’ll live with for the rest of his life. “It’s a tough disease.”

Lupus is an unpredictable and misunderstood autoimmune disease that ravages different parts of the body. It is difficult to diagnose, hard to live with and a challenge to treat. Lupus has a range of symptoms, strikes without warning, and has no known cause and no known cure. Its health effects can range from a skin rash to a heart attack.

There are three main types of lupus: > Systemic lupus erythematosus (eh-RITH-eh-muh-TOE-sus) is the most common form. It’s sometimes called SLE, or just lupus. The word “systemic” means that the disease can involve many parts of the body such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain. SLE symptoms can be mild or serious.

“She has been released and starts rehearsals for her upcoming tour this week. She was not in serious condition, though lupus is a serious disease and must be monitored at all times,” Braxton’s representatives added.

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease, causing inflammation to a person’s internal organs, joints and skin. Lupus is not contagious and may be caused by a number of factors, including hormones, genetics and one’s environment, according to the Lupus Foundation of America. An exact cause for the disease is still unknown.

A lupus diagnosis doesn’t have to mean the end of your life. For Shey Webb, it became the opposite. After spending several years in and out of the hospital without doctors knowing what was wrong with her and after a series of tests, she was diagnosed with lupus in 2012.

Shey has experienced low energy, weight gain, migraines and an irregular heart problem due to her lupus. But, she changed her mindset about lupus and decided to live her life in a different way. Her doctor suggested she start exercising to help with the flares and this is what led to Shey becoming what she calls a lupus ‘Fitness Warrior.’

Shey decided to do her first bikini competition after gaining 25 pounds from steroid medication. The now MMFitness-sponsored athlete was able to stop her steroid treatment and maintain a healthy weight. Her lupus has been in remission and she is feeling better than ever.

Here is how Shey became a Fitness Warrior.

BlackDoctor.org: How did lupus impact your life?

Shey Webb: I originally felt depressed. I didn’t go out and do things I normally would do on a daily basis. I just wanted to stay home in bed. The people around me kept telling me about people they knew who had died from lupus. Since I didn’t have a full understanding of what the disease was, it made me even more depressed.

BlackDoctor.org: What fueled your passion to become a ‘Fitness Warrior’?

Shey Webb:My doctor said exercise would help with the pain. I started out swimming and rollerblading. I always wanted to be a WWE Diva so I decided to pursue this goal. My manager at the time knew the trainer and I met with him to discuss the process. Due to the pain I was already experiencing, I didn’t think this would be the best option for me.

I started thinking of other things I could do as my “bucket list.” I remember someone I worked with when I was younger always telling me about bodybuilding shows. I Googled and watched different divisions. I messaged Micah Morgan at MMFitness and informed him I was doing a bikini competition in two months. I sought him out to help me with my training.

BlackDoctor.org: How has fitness helped you manage your lupus?Shey Webb:Eating healthy is the biggest part that has helped. I noticed certain foods would trigger a flare. Working out helped my inflammation and pain. The two coupled together make a difference in how I manage my lupus.

BlackDoctor.org: What advice would you give to someone who is newly diagnosed with lupus?Shey Webb: Be patient with yourself. That was my biggest issue. You may not be able to do everything you used to do before. You have to pace yourself.

…Nick says he’s feeling great, adding, “Last year was definitely a tough year health-wise but now doctors have giving me a clean bill of health. Eating well and exercising has kind of put me in the best shape I’ve ever been in.”

On His Health:
“My health scare in 2012 was crazy because [when you have] doctors telling you ‘This might be it,’ and they’re preparing your family and saying it can go either way or there’s a 50/50 chance and all of that stuff, it puts life in perspective,” Nick explains.

(photo credit: ncredible fans facebook)

“I was a brand-new father — my kids weren’t even 1-year-olds at the time. And it was just like ‘If I do get a chance to do it again, I’m going to make sure all of the things that matter, I focus on. And the things that don’t matter, I let ‘em fall by the wayside.’ And because I still deal with the health condition to this day, it just makes me hungry and makes me grind harder, because we’re not promised tomorrow. I’m doing everything I can do to keep myself healthy, but at the same time, in the back of mind I [know] the clock is ticking. I need to leave my mark. That’s what everybody should do. You’ve got to leave this place better than it was when you got here. I feel like I can’t waste one day. That’s why when people say ‘your work ethic is crazy,’ I’m like ‘The clock is ticking.’ I gotta leave something.”

If people had to pick a favorite TV character to be best friends with, no doubt, many would choose the quick-witted, slick-talking and always fly “Pamela James” from the classic sitcom, Martin. The character, made famous by veteran actress and singer Tichina Arnold, was the definition of a true ride-or-die homegirl. In real life, the two-time NAACP Image Award winning actress is an even better sister, who stands on the frontline alongside her sibling in the fight against a debilitating disease that affects their family and the families of more and more Black women.

“My sister and I started the We Win Foundation…there’s so many women of color and men that suffer from lupus,” Arnold shared in a recent interview with Sway in the Morning. “Everybody knows somebody that has lupus and it is affecting women of color – 3 out of 5 women of color are affected by it.”

Arnold’s sister, Zenay Arnold, has seven diseases and lupus was the last diagnosis added to her long list. The #ArnoldSisters – as they frequently hashtag their dynamic duo on social media – created the We Win Foundation to bring awareness to lupus and to help people become lupus survivors like Zenay, who’s been living with it for over 10 years.

(Photo credit: zimbio.com)

For Zenay, having the support of her sister has been crucial to managing the disease.

“Living with lupus can be terrifying” Zenay said. “You have so many questions and are on a constant quest for answers. However, being around friends and family who understand the devastating impact of the disease can be a motivating force each day.”

Lupus is a complex autoimmune disease with no cure to date. The disease affects different parts of the body and…

Lupus is an autoimmune disease affecting 1.5 million Americans. It is an inflammatory disease and occurs when your immune system attacks its own tissues. A lupus diagnosis is important because it can increase your risk for heart disease, osteoporosis and kidney diseases occurring earlier. However, lupus can be difficult to detect because the signs and symptoms may not always be clear.

Knowing if you have lupus is critical because it allows you to manage this disease better and also be proactive in your treatment. It also helps you to decrease how the disease progresses and the severity of the disease. The signs of lupus may vary from person to person.

Here are five facts which will help you to have a better understanding of lupus.

1. Women are at a greater risk.Women tend to suffer from lupus in greater numbers than men. More than 90% of lupus sufferers are women, and it impacts women primarily between the ages of 15 – 44 years of age. Women of color are also more affected by this disease versus Caucasians. They are often likely to be diagnosed at 2-3 times greater rate.

2. Lupus can have many symptoms. The more prevalent symptoms of lupus include:

Painful or swollen joints

Low blood count

Painless sores in the mouth or nose

A rash which is apparent on the face, cheeks, or across the bridge of the nose

Fact: According to the Lupus Foundation of America, more than 60% of people who suffer from Lupus will experience some type of memory problem such as recalling names, dates, appointments and balancing a checkbook. The harsh reality, it that’s not the hardest part.

Most of us with Lupus also suffer from clinical depression, a condition that is brought on by a combination of medication and the drastic lifestyle changes.

I’ve suffered a lot of losses dealing with Lupus, but the greatest loss of all, was allowing Lupus and chemical depression to destroy my marriage.

I hate this disloyal disease; I hate that I allowed this disease and my negligence to get mental treatment sooner to force me to make some poor decisions in life and as a result, destroy my family.

My husband was literally my heartbeatand if I could turn back the hands of time, I would have swallowed my pride and sought help sooner. But instead, I cared about what others would think of me, if they knew that I was depressed.

Nakita is a Lupus Butterfly. She wears her purple colors loud and proud with a mission to inspire other women. And when she met fellow lupus sufferer Jakita, she knew she was someone special. Jokiva is the founder of the popular Facebook group; “The Real Housewives of Lupus,” a group for women with Lupus and a platform to network, vent and motivate each other to fight.

Here, Nakita speaks with Jokiva one on one about what living with and fighting lupus is all about:

Nakita: When were you diagnosed with Lupus?Jokiva: I was diagnosed with lupus at the age of 18. I had a rash that looked like eczema and they started me on skin cream but the rash became worse and then I started to experience joint pain and they sent me to a rheumatologist where I was then told I have lupus.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced since being diagnosed?
The biggest change I’ve had in my life since finding out I have lupus is how I live my life. I barely go out. I currently do not work or go to school because my condition is not so good right now and it makes me depressed at times because I want a normal life.

I used to hate to go in public because people would often look at me as if I was contagious and that was not the case at all. They did not understand that they were more of a harm to me then I were to them. It’s kind of hard to go out in society and want to be accepted for who you are and what you’re going through. People don’t understand unless you educate them about your condition because everyone’s lupus symptoms are not the same.I’ve met wonderful people whose condition is way worse than mine, and it hurts my soul that they have no real support team.

MUST READ: Singer SEAL Tells About The Lupus Marks On His Face

Describe your daily routine.
Every day I get up around 8 in the morning and eat something real light on my stomach. But I don’t have a day-to-day regiment because I never know how my body will react that day. Sometimes I wake up to vomiting or in pain to where my day will not go as planned. It’s very stressful to plan things with friends and family and all because I may become sick.

I always tell people who are not aware of what I go through, that lupus is not something I could just hang in my closet and go to it when I want. I have no choice but to accept my condition which I have. I take my meds…

Lark Voorhies is best known for playing rich teen Lisa Turtle on the NBC sitcom “Saved By the Bell”. She is one of four cast members to be carried over from the original Disney Channel show “Good Morning Miss Bliss”. Since the show she has appeared in a variety of films but her career has flagged somewhat in recent years. So what happened to Lark Voorhies?

Despite the strange interviews, marriages and divorces, and strange sightings, it looks like Lark is trying to make things right. In December 2016, she released the new photo above.

Since 2010 Lark Voorhies has been writing novels. Her first book was self published, titled Reciprocity, it is available on Amazon along with her other releases. It had been noticed that Lark had been looking increasingly unwell when she appeared in person. She confirmed that she has been battling Lupus for the last eight years which may explain some of her more questionable makeup choices in recent years. In spite of this she has reaffirmed her commitment to her company, her books and her music.

According to multiple websites, in December 2014, Lark captioned the above left image with “Pray for me,” although she has since changed the caption. Her friends responded by letting her know that they would indeed be keeping her in their thoughts.

The former teen star, known to a generation of fans as the adorable, fun-loving character Lisa Turtle, denies anything is wrong, but after a series of bizarre pictures and video, some begin to question if the once child star was sick, suffering from some disease or even if drugs were at play. Voorhies adamantly denied it. Instead, her mother says, she has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

In a series of interviews with People, the magazine inferred that it was clear something wasn’t right with Voorhies. The magazine said during the interviews, she would frequently stop mid-sentence and stare off, often mumbling to herself or to others who weren’t there.

“There are things that have traumatized her,” says her mom Tricia, who shares a home with her daughter in Pasadena, Calif. Tricia says her daughter suffers from bipolar disorder.

“I care deeply about my daughter and I want her to resume her life,” Tricia says deeply.

Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel, better known as the platinum singing artist, Seal, has sold out huge arenas all over the world to hear him sing. His strong, angelic voice has brought him a number of hits including the song the world loves, “Kiss From A Rose.”

When people see Seal, it’s hard not to notice the scarring on his face. Although there have long been rumors as to the cause of the scars on his face, they are the result of a type of lupus called discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) – a condition that specifically affects the skin above the neck.

DLE is a form of lupus that usually affects young people. Intense inflammation develops in the skin, particularly in sun-exposed areas. If not treated aggressively with sun protection and anti-inflammatory medicines, “Seal-style” scarring can result.

Lupus is a condition where the immune cells attack various body tissues.

Seal has revealed in interviews that he was afflicted with this syndrome as a teen. Not only did DLE cause Seal’s cheek scars, but he had significant scalp involvement, causing hair loss. Thankfully, the singer’s condition has been in remission for years, though his scars remain.

DLE: What You Need To Know

DLE is a chronic skin condition characterized by inflammation and scarring type skin lesions which occur on the face, ears, scalp and, at times, on other body areas. Discoid means “coin-shaped,” and these lesions develop as an round, raised, inflamed growths with a scaly, crusty, warty-like appearance. The center areas may appear lighter in color with a rim darker than the normal skin.As mentioned before, permanent scarring can generally be prevented by early treatment.

When it comes to risk factors for heart disease, Black women have to be more careful than Black men. Yes, heart disease disproportionately affects the entire Black community. But, according to the Emmy-nominated Dr. Jennifer H. Mieres, certain risk factors predisposed to heart disease are more potent in women. That includes hypertension and diabetes, Mieres said.

For something so small, flaxseed has big benefits. Recent studies have shown that flaxseed, known to the world for thousands of years, may aid in lowering cholesterol, stabilizing blood sugar, reducing bone loss, promoting weight loss, increasing immunity, and fighting cancer.

Vitamins and minerals, including most of the B vitamins, magnesium, and manganese

Fiber, both soluble and insoluble

Phytochemicals, including many powerful antioxidants such as lignans. In fact, because it’s a plant, flaxseed is one of the best sources of lignans around, Metsovas says.

Omega-3 fatty acids, key to fighting inflammation. Flaxseed is a mega-source of the plant version of omega-3 called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Flaxseed oil is about 50 percent ALA — five times more than walnut oil or canola oil, which are the next highest sources of ALA.

When veteran rapper Snoop Dogg’s then 11-year-old daughter Cori was diagnosed with Lupus nearly 4 years ago, he and his wife, Shante Broadus, had never heard of the fatal disease that affects more than 1.5 million people.

“Shante and I cried 1,000 times” Snoop told People Magazine.

90% of those diagnosed with lupus are women between 15 and 45 years of age. It is the leading cause of stroke, heart and kidney disease in women. Lupus can also strike men, older adults and children, in fact, the numbers of lupus cases seen in children is increasing. More people have lupus than those who have AIDS, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, sickle-cell anemia or cystic fibrosis, making lupus one of the country’s most prevalent medical problems.

Unbeknownst to many however Cori’s battle with lupus is the reason that convinced Snoop and his wife Shante to stay together. The West Coast rap icon said it played a major part in helping his failing marriage.

Speaking on the delicate situation, Snoop shared that although he filed for divorce from his wife in 2004 citing irreconcilable differences, his daughter’s ailment played a role in them moving on to renew their vows in 2008.“That’s what it boiled down to Cori’s lupus showed us we need to be together forever.”

His wife Shante adds, “Without (Snoop), I don’t know what I’d have done. It’s amazing how this all turned out. We were gonna get a divorce. But we wouldn’t have gotten through it (the lupus diagnosis) that way.”

Snoop also told People that his daughter’s condition has improved greatly despite the side effects of the disease that caused her hair to fall out and affected her weight.

According to Snoop, Cori, now 17, is winning the battle against it.
“My daughter is the love of my life. When she’d lay in bed saying, ‘My brain hurts’, it bothered me so much. I felt helpless, but…

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How well do you #KnowLupus? Lupus Awareness Month is observed during May to increase public understanding of this cruel and mysterious disease that ravages different part of the body.

The KNOW LUPUS campaign was created to raise awareness of lupus and funds for lupus research. It is estimated that nearly two-thirds of the public knows little or nothing about lupus beyond the name. Everyone needs to KNOW LUPUS, to create a future with NO LUPUS.